Double Z-fold Horses Birthday Card

 

This is a super fun birthday for all ages. The double Z-fold provides a pasture scene with horses behind a fence line. The fence make the second the Z-fold. These cards provide huge impact with very little efforts.

Here's what you need:

• Red/cherry cardstock cut 11 x 4 1/4, score at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2"
• White cardstock - 2 panels 4 1/8 x 2 5/8 and 1 panel 4 1/8 x 5 3/8
• White cardstock scrap for message panel
• Crumb cake/tan cardstock for fence dies
• 2 green colors for the grass dies
• Small scrap for cowboy hat
• Fence and grass dies - Spellbinders is pictured
• Banner dies
• Let it Ride stamp set - Stampin' Up
• Hardwood background stamp - Stampin' Up
• Happy birthday stamp
• Natural Jute for rope
• Ink pads - green, blue and Copic friendly black
• Copic markers to color horses

To form the fence line into a z-fold, attach the fence pieces (you'll need 3 plus one post) using extra pieces in between the sections. Once all of the fence has bee assembled, score at 5 1/2" and 8 1/4" and fold. These folds will be the opposite of those on the base.

To create the scene, stamps the horses and trees first where you want them. Mask the horses and then sponge on green ink to look like the grass area and very light blue to make the sky. Unmask the horses and color with Copic markers. Attached the scene panels to the red base. 

With the card folded, glue down the first and last sections to the card base leaving the middle section unattached. Glue down accessories like the cowboy hat and lasso. I also glue down a small message panel.

I hope you give this double Z-fold card a try.

Happy card making!

Kathie K.

Mountain Scene Card Tutorial

Hello fellow stampers,

I can admit, I cannot draw or paint freehand. But I have found that I can get a realistic scenic image using sponges and torn post-it paper.

Here's another sponged background card that I made for a friends recent loss. I think the color combinations and images made the scenic view seem almost peaceful.

For this card, I wanted a setting sun. I first tore mountain shapes out of post-it paper. The trick here is to use the positive and the negative pieces. Use the negative pieces to sponge the mountains and positive pieces to sponge the sky.

On this card, I chose a setting sun but a night time scene with a full moon would look just as awesome. To create the sun, I used a circle punch with post-it paper. I masked off the mountain using the positive piece of post-it paper so the sun looks like its setting behind the mountain. To create the sky, start with the lighter colors closest to the sun and gradually add darker shades as you sponge towards the opposite edge.

Once the mountains and sky were sponged and dried, I repeatedly stamped the same evergreen tree use the stamping off technique. I stamped one image with my stamp fully inked and then without reinking, I stamped it a couple more times.  I think it gives the card dimension and depth.

To finish the card, I stamped a sentiment on a layered banner and added grosgrain ribbon.

This card could be used for any occasion or just to let someone know you are thinking about them. I hope you gives scenes like this a try.

Happy stamping!

Kathie K.

Adding color to dry embossed backgrounds

Hi stampers,

In my many years of card making, I would have to say dry embossing tools are the most improved. I loved them then and I love even more now. I've been playing around with adding more dimension and looks to my dry embossed backgrounds. There are many blogs and videos about adding color to the negative space of the embossing folder, but that doesn't bring the embossed areas to life.

For this card, I wanted the background to look like aged stone or a stonewall that maybe found in the Italian country side. For this card I sponge a couple of different earth tone colors - some areas darker than others. I think the background turned out great!

One of my other favorite embossing folders is the Tim Holtz tree branches. For this background piece I used a soft gray with a very light hand and sponged just the tops and edges of the branches.  I really think this adds even more dimension.

Super easy coloring technique to really bring those embossed areas to life.  Adding dimension to your cards will add that wow factor that your friends and family will really appreciate.

What other coloring techniques have you tried? Please leave me a comment - I would love to hear your ideas too!

Happy stamping!

Kathie

Birthday cards for him and her

Hello fellow stampers,

I love sending handmade birthday cards to friends and family to help make their day a little more special.  The following cards were a lot of fun to make using a couple of my favorite stamps sets from Stampin' Up - Pocket Fun and Lovely as a Tree.

The pocket card has the sentiment behind the pocket as a little surprise.  The flowers were made using a flower and daisy punch.  I curled the edges to them a little dimension.  There is a flower on the inside of the card and on the envelope to tie everything together.  I used pearl-type embellishments as the centers.

The main colors are Dapper Denim and Always Artichoke from Stampin Up.  The flowers were punched from designer paper in my stash.  Here's a tip:  when you have a small scrap of designer paper, punch a couple of flowers and save for a future projects. I store mine in an extra plastic box but anything will work.

I just love the Lovely as a Tree stamp set.  It's great for any card for him and for her.  This one I think is a perfect for a special guy - not too feminine. The tree is stamped in black and the background colors were quickly sponged on.

The main color for this card is also Dapper Denim with black accents.  The black ribbon tied in a know gives the card dimension and serves as place to pop-up the sentiment. I also stamped the inside of the card and on the envelope with the multi-tree stamp.

Both cards are available for purchase on my Etsy shop, Handmade By Kathie K.

Happy stamping!

Wilderness Inspiration for Greeting Cards

Hello fellow stampers,

I just got back from a fabulous family vacation and feel very relaxed and inspired.  The mountains and wilderness were just breathtaking.  All this natural beauty inspired me to make this card.

I used the Noble Deer stamp set from Stampin' Up and the rest is a sponging technique.  I used several masks on the deer, sun and to the make the distant mountains. I am definitely not an artist so this is my best shot of a mountain lake and wildlife.

Inspiration can come from anything - just keep your mind and eyes open.  You will be making one of kind cards in no time.

Happy Stamping!